If you have been injured in a car accident in Illinois, you will likely be contacted by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Keep the following in mind: Insurance companies are in the business to make money and will do everything they can to trick you into accepting a lower settlement amount than you actually deserve.
This is why you should obtain a skilled Chicago personal injury attorney immediately following a car accident in order to preserve your rights.
When the insurance company adjuster contacts you, he or she will most likely tell you that they need to record the conversation in order to process any insurance claim.
Although your own Illinois insurance policy may have a clause that requires you to agree to a recorded statement, this does not apply with the at-fault party’s insurance company and you do not have to agree.
It is not uncommon for symptoms from Illinois car accident injuries to not fully show up immediately after the incident. You may be experiencing some discomfort in the first couple of days after the crash, but may still not be aware of how serious those injuries are.
Yet, within that first day or two, the insurance company will call you to get you to make a recorded statement. You shouldn’t talk to them.
This is one of the worst times to agree to speak with them. They may try to use anything you say to deny your claim. Consult with your attorney and let them facilitate any interaction with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.`
You should also not agree to sign a release of your medical records. This allows the insurance company to learn about your past medical history. They could begin to start working on a case to try to prove your injuries weren’t caused by the accident.
The insurance company will put on the pressure to get you to settle. They may tell you that your injuries are only worth so much. Then, they turn around and “do you a favor” adding what you deserved in the first place.
In an Illinois car accident? Get help today!
Remember, once settled, you will not be able to collect any additional money. If it turns out that your injuries are more extensive than you realized, you’re out of luck. Your attorney will help you through the process of determining just how bad your injuries are and what the damages really are.
An Illinois car accident attorney will aggressively advocate for you. We will help ensure that you receive the justice you deserve for any pain and suffering. Contact us today!
Our office hours range from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and we also answer our phones at 844-977-1900 24/7. You can reach us through our online form or our LiveChat service. So don’t wait! We look forward to hearing from you.